In a video released on Saturday, activist Tehseen Poonawalla alleged that the Delhi Police detained him when he was preparing to attend the planned protest at Jantar Mantar. Poonawalla's citizens' activism group named Team Bharat had planned the demonstration against what he calls the "sugar scam." At the event, he spoke about the government policies which, according to him, are making sugar costly for the people but profitable for those with political connections. He criticized the Centre's E20 fuel policy at the event. In the video posted on X, Poonawalla can be seen interacting with police officers outside his residence. He repeatedly questioned the reason behind not allowing him to attend the peaceful assembly.
Police Raise Questions about Law and Order
As Poonawalla claims, a policeman once informed him that the previously given permission regarding his visiting the protest site had been withdrawn. He was told that his being present at the site could create a law and order problem in case his followers would turn up there. It was also suggested that some undesirables might try to take advantage of the occasion. Poonawalla asked why the officials thought he shouldn’t go simply because his followers might turn up there instead of any action he had performed.
Poonawalla's Reaction in the Form of a Sugarcane Juice Offering
In an interview with India Today Digital, Poonawalla alleged that, as usual, the Delhi Police visited him at home and took him into custody without showing any documents to him. Poonawalla alleged that rather than getting angry, he opted to offer the police officers some sugarcane juice in an act of humor, which was obviously an attack on the issue he was fighting against.
"In a video released on Saturday, activist Tehseen Poonawalla alleged that the Delhi Police detained him when he was preparing to attend the …"